Harish Rao holds his ground despite repeated disruptions from Congress during Assembly debate

Senior BRS MLA T Harish Rao defended the Kaleshwaram project by pointing out contradictions in Congress claims, quoting technical reports, and highlighting failures in Andhra Pradesh's Polavaram project. Despite relentless attempts to derail his speech, Harish Rao successfully countered every allegation.

Hyderabad: Senior BRS MLA and former Minister T Harish Rao faced continuous interventions from the ruling Congress, including Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and half-a-dozen Ministers during a heated debate on the PC Ghose Commission’s report in the Assembly on Sunday. However, he held his ground strongly and countered every charge.

Though the Speaker initially allotted him only 30 minutes, Harish Rao sought two hours to present his clarifications on the Kaleshwaram project. What followed was a barrage of interruptions during his speech that lasted for over 90 minutes. Minister D Sridhar Babu intervened six times, the Chief Minister five times, Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy four times, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and Jupally Krishna Rao twice each, and Uttam Kumar Reddy thrice.

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At one point, the Panel Speaker allowed BJP MLA Palvai Harish to intervene, receiving severe objections from the BRS MLAs. Harish Rao asked in frustration: “Should I speak on the Commission’s report or keep clarifying on their commentary?”

Despite the repeated attempts to derail his speech, Harish Rao systematically defended the project, citing Central Water Commission approvals and exposing contradictions in the Congress claims. He reminded Komatireddy of his past praise for Kaleshwaram, took on Revanth Reddy over water availability figures, and even turned the tables on Ministers quoting technical reports, pointing out failures in Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram project overseen by the same experts.

While Congress leaders accused him of misleading the House, Harish Rao went on a rampage for over 90 minutes, effectively countering each and every allegation.

కాళేశ్వరం కమిషన్ ఇచ్చిన 650 పేజీల రిపోర్ట్ మీద ఒక్కో పేజీకి, ఒక్కో అక్షరానికి నేను సమాధానం చెప్తాను.

మాట్లాడడానికి నాకు కనీసం రెండు గంటల సమయం కావాలి.

– అసెంబ్లీలో మాజీ మంత్రి @BRSHarish 🔥 pic.twitter.com/29UW6Dy7dt

— Office of Harish Rao (@HarishRaoOffice) August 31, 2025